Walking through Bangalore’s Roads

Amidst of a buzzing day, one of my friend had called in to seek some info, and casually asked, where am I? I said currently I am at JP Nagar, Jayaprakash Narayan Nagar.

He was happy to hear that, and said he didn’t know who was JP. I said, he is a Bharat Ratna popularly called as Loknayak. And this area is named after him. Just as a cheery exchange, I asked what does RT Nagar, BTM Layout, HSR Layout stand for?

This was the inception of this snippet to introduce Bengaluru’s expanse and its nomenclature with areas, roads and localities – its significance with its name and the relic behind it.

Bangalore holds its history with Gangas, Cholas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagar, Wodeyers and predominantly recognizes with Kempegowda’s establishment of fort here during early 16^th century. Bendakaaluru became Bangalore during British Raj and officially called ‘Bengaluru’ since 2006.

Being the 3^rd populous city in India, spread over 741sq.kms, it has more than hundred areas narrating its own story and carrying rich etymology behind it.

Walking through ‘Namma Bengaluru’s belt’ reveals lot of interesting facts. Here is a small attempt to connect etymology, history and recognize few unheard heroes and their work.

Mehkri (Not Mekhri) Circle: Named after a businessman Enayathulla Mehkri who levelled the rough climb from Hebbal tank spending his own money of 10,000 rupees which was big amount in 1930’s. This came to attention of Krishnaraja Wodeyer who attempted to payback the amount, but Mehkri denied to accept. The appreciation was expressed by naming the confluence in his name.

Hudson Circle: Located adjacent to Hudson Memorial Church, built in 1904 is named after a Canarese scholar and educationist Josiah Hudson who is appreciated to have started many schools at Bangalore region during early 1900’s.

Bhashyam Circle: Named after KT Bhashyam who was a congress leader, businessman and activist during freedom struggle attempted to unite around 30,000 mill workers during 1920’s.

Anandarao Circle: T Ananda Rao, Diwan of Mysore during 1909-1912 was an able administrator. He has laurels to have constructed reservoir for Shivanasamudra Power Station, laid construction stone for KRS Dam, and started economic forums and conferences during his period.

Rajajinagar:  Adored as Rajaji, C Rajagopalachari was a freedom fighter, lawyer, writer, historian and statesman. He was the first Indian born, last Governor General of India as India became republic in 1950. He was one of the first recipients of India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna.

Sheshadripuram: Regarded as ‘Maker of Modern Bangalore’-  Sir. K Sheshadri Iyer, Diwan of Mysore from 1883-1900 was a great statesman. Shivanasamudra Hydroelectric project commencement, establishing KGF, Victoria Hospital, promoting science forums he has big hand in instituting IISc at Bangalore. 

RT Nagar – First Indian and a non-european recipient of Noble Prize in literature, Rabindranath Tagore leaves his mark in Indian history and we at Bangalore honor him with his name embedded into our geography.

Sadashivanagar: Named after great Kannada freedom fighter and philanthropist Karnad Sadashiva Rao.

Whitefield: Anglo Indian settlement during 1882-83 had a political reek where His Highness of Mysore Chamaraja Wodeyer donated a portion of this region to DS White, the then President of the Eurasian and Anglo-Indian Association. The neighborhood then got its moniker from White’s name for the settlement of Anglo Indians in the region.

Sunkadakatte: This is certainly an interesting name cradling a place where tax/toll was collected. ‘Sunka’ in Kannada means tax. Because it was located beside a lake which had a wide place to sit it held the name of ‘katte’. Sunkadakatte emerged combining two.

Nagarbhavi: Due to urbanization, things have changed it's attributes. Nagarbhavi is one neighborhood in Bangalore which was named because of the number of snakes’ present in the locality. As it was amidst of hillocks forming a kind of well structure, it positioned its name as Nagarbhavi.

Madiwala: Sounds amusing, current Madiwala was the outskirts of then Bangalore where washermen used to stay.  The term Madiwala means washer man in Kannada. Madiwala lake, one of the big waterbodies is nearly 300 years old and was mainly used by them for drinking purpose.

Malleshwaram, Banashankari, Basavanagudi, Gavipuram – few more gets its name because of its renowned temples in the region. BTM & HSR Layout is named for congregating its adjacent areas.

There are much more interesting facts to be shared. Shall be back soon for another walk.